Urgent Care and A&E for Catford: Where to Go and When

Where is the nearest A&E for Catford?

The emergency department serving Lewisham borough is at University Hospital Lewisham, Lewisham High Street, SE13 6LH. According to Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust's emergency services page, the Emergency Department is in the Yellow Zone on the ground floor, and the phone numbers are 020 8333 3042 or 020 8333 3043. The hospital switchboard is 020 8333 3000. The trust also runs Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich. For Emergency Department opening hours, use 111 or the trust's page if you are unsure.

What is the urgent treatment centre?

University Hospital Lewisham also has an Urgent Care Centre in the Yellow Zone on the ground floor, with the number 020 8333 3358 listed by the trust. Urgent treatment centres are for problems that need attention the same day but are not life-threatening. The trust's page does not set out opening hours or how patients are directed there, so ask when you arrive or phone ahead. The NHS's when to go to A&E page explains that everyone is triaged on arrival to work out who is seen first, and that some patients are directed to an urgent treatment centre or an on-site GP rather than being treated in A&E.

When should I go to A&E or call 999?

A&E is for serious, life-threatening injuries and illnesses. The trust gives examples including loss of consciousness, serious blood loss, choking, severe chest pain or breathing difficulty, serious burns, and strokes or persistent seizures. If you think you need an ambulance, call 999. The NHS advises not to drive yourself to A&E: ask someone to take you, or call 999.

When should I use NHS 111?

If you are not sure whether you need A&E, use NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk, in the NHS App or by calling 111. The NHS page says you can call 111 for help with children under 5. According to the trust, 111 can direct you to an urgent treatment centre, an evening and weekend GP, a nurse callback, urgent dental or mental health support, your own GP surgery, a pharmacist, or advice on looking after yourself at home. It is also the route for help when your GP is closed.

What can I do closer to home?

• A pharmacist. You do not need an appointment. The trust notes pharmacists can advise on skin conditions, coughs and colds, minor cuts, hay fever, aches and pains, indigestion and more, and under Pharmacy First can supply prescription medicines for seven conditions. See our Catford pharmacies guide.
• Your GP. NHS South East London says Lewisham practices offer early morning, evening and Saturday appointments through extended access. See our Catford GP guide.
• A dentist. For dental pain or swelling, call 111. See our Catford NHS dentists guide.

Does the NHS ask people to avoid hospital with a stomach bug?

Yes. The trust says that unless it is an emergency, anyone with vomiting or diarrhoea should not visit NHS buildings until 48 hours after the symptoms have cleared.

What are the busy-time warnings?

The NHS's page says A&E departments can be very busy and you may have to wait some time to be seen. That is another reason to check whether another service would suit you better.